21:08 29/05/2023

My arms are now bare. Naked. Yet, free. The remanants that once lingered along with my reach have now been banished to the halls that echo faintly. I do not know why it took me this long to unshackle these chains. It was me, all along, who had kept myself a prisoner. No longer. These shadows have lost their hold.

It was me, all along, who had kept myself a prisoner.

I know I had said that I would not pick up the quill this harvest. I know I said I would not write until the next spring. But a man cannot help but let his keeper know of his deliverance. I am free, my dear sweetheart. Do you feel it, too? I am finally free. And I wanted to be sure that you’d be enlightened to the news.

Of course, it has been whiles since I’d last offered you a letter. I hope this letter does not reinduldge you to my air. It’s more just reassurance, so that you know that I am okay. Of course, you know that I am okay. I feel you watch over me every moon. But still. Maybe it just feels pleasant to tell you myself.

I thought I was free from such curses.

I wondered why I could still feel those shadows haunting me. I travelled worlds to be sure I was far from their reach. And yet, every now and then I would feel the cold, and I would feel the warmth. Their fingers would embrace me. And with each gentle touch, my soul would be plunged back into the bittersweet realities that can no longer exist. I thought I was free from such curses. My mind and spirit had made sure to leave those shadows in the past. My body was surely out of reach. But as the hours of late would dawn, there my soul would be, dancing along with the ghosts of oaths long passed.

Whispers are what had saved me. From who exactly, I am not sure. I don’t feel it was Father, above, who had sent me such whispers. Was it you, my dear sweetheart? Or maybe the other Angels, above? I do not know. But the message I felt was clear. “Unbind the treasures that need not be worn, fore their beauty will remain.” At first, I gazed upon the charms around my wrist, and upon the soul ring I forged myself. They were beautiful, I thought. Accessories of aesthetic flavour. But then I felt the warmth that added to their allure. The same warmth that would embrace me in the night. The cold warmth. I was shackled!

I knew then and there what the jewellery now represented. Binds to the Past. Each piece, a momento of a queen who had foresaken me to the cold. And yet, there a knight stood, proud of his shame. This could no longer continue.

With no foe remaining, who else would be left to target?

Tell me, who holds more honour? A true ronin, or a blind warrior, still fighting a war that no longer existed. Most would say the latter, but most know nothing of the chaos of fight fuelled for no foe. With no foe remaining, who else would be left to target?

The destruction could finally end.

The final battle was no job. The ghosts had made themselves quite welcome within my energy. They were not to leave without a dance.

I knew the ring was the main piece to remove first. It was not a gift like the other charms and bracelets. It was a symbol of oath I had created myself. And its music was wonderous. I almost chose to let it stay a little while longer. But this warfare was nothing new to me. These ghosts were nothing compared to the one ghost I faced many centuries ago. The one that you and I both know I have yet to defeat, my dear sweetheart. But, at hand was the jewellery I was to release. And so I did.

Finally.

My arms are now bare. I am now free. Free for Life to assign me my next quest.

Grant strength to armour me, my dear sweetheart. To face my future. Whatever it may be.

Love from yours truly

-Daniel Roy